Editorial

Advent is a Marian season of hope-filled expectation

On Dec. 12, we celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of several Marian feasts that occur in the month of December and the season of Advent.

The image of Mary is particularly vivid during this liturgical season—from our observance of her Immaculate Conception, to the colorful native dress she wears in her appearance as Our Lady of Guadalupe, to the multi-colored lights of the Christmas story, to the witness she gives as the heart of the Holy Family.

As Archbishop of Mexico City, Servant of God Luis María Martínez (1881-1956), preached at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

“The love of the Holy Virgin was not fleeting. It is not like the affections of our fickle heart, which change, fade and suffer eclipses. No, the love of the Virgin is like the love of God. What Mary loved she continues to love … .”

Mary’s love is constant and unconditional. She is present always. Especially as we wait in hope for her Son’s coming again, our Mother stands with us. She helps us to be patient, and she teaches us how to express our eager expectation in ways that are positive and serve others.

We tend to think of Marian devotion as a uniquely Catholic phenomenon, but Mary’s appeal is broader than we often realize. Newark, N.J., Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, former shepherd of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, offered the following reflection in a recent newsletter shared with the people of his archdiocese:

Mary’s influence is powerful. Wherever she is honored as a woman of strength and compassion, people gather around her seeking her protection and care.

My Redemptorist community has seen firsthand Mary’s influence as an instrument for evangelization throughout Asia. In Manila, for example, more than 120,000 people gather every Wednesday to participate in our novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Most parishes in the Philippines have this novena to Our Lady, and her image can be seen on taxicabs, buses, and other places.

In my travels for the Redemptorist community, I saw similar crowds (50,000 people in Mumbai and similar crowds in other cities), but the most intriguing experience I had was in Singapore. There “only” 30,000 people came on Saturday to Our Lady’s shrine, but half of them were not Christians. When I asked some of these people from many different faiths, “Why are you here?” they looked at me incredulously and said, “We have to speak with the Merciful Lady.”

The Archbishop of Singapore once told me that in his experience every adult catechumen in his archdiocese, without exception, began his or her journey to the Christian faith through this novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help—illustrating the truth of the old spiritual adage that as missionary disciples we find our way to Jesus through Mary.

Mary’s outreach is an inspiration to all who seek her divine Son. Mary never draws attention to herself. Her song, the Magnificat, makes it clear that it is God alone who does wondrous things—lifting up the lowly, feeding the hungry, and dismissing those who believe themselves to be self-sufficient or who refuse to use their wealth and power for the benefit of their more vulnerable brothers and sisters. Mary is a beneficiary of God’s abundant grace, and she encourages us to share these gifts with others, especially those who are poor or vulnerable.

While we wait for the Lord’s coming, we look to Mary. She helps us to seek and find him. She strengthens us when our enthusiasm fades and our hopes dim because of the darkness and despair all around us. Advent is a Marian season because the mother of God helps us strive to be vigilant. She accompanies us as we move through the four weeks of this holy season.

In his column for the First Sunday of Advent, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson wrote:

“The glory of God that is our Advent hope can be seen in the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is what we hope to become by the power of God’s grace. She is patient, humble, pure and wholly obedient to God’s will. She ponders in her heart the mysteries of life, sacrifice and unconditional love. She serves others without counting the cost to herself. And above all, she follows in the footsteps of her beloved Son.”

As we wait with Mary for her Son’s coming again, let’s follow her example. Let’s share the hope and joy that we know will come this Christmas.

—Daniel Conway